Code of Ethics for Conformation Judges: 

1. ASCA Judges are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with these Guidelines set forth by the Australian Shepherd Club Board of Directors. Failure to comply with these guidelines subjects a judge to possible disciplinary action by the ASCA Board of Directors, including the possible revocation of ASCA Judging privileges. 
2. ASCA Conformation Judges carry a tremendous amount of responsibility. They function as a guiding voice of the Australian Shepherd and should represent the highest ideals in terms of honesty, integrity, impartiality and knowledge of the sport and the breed. 
3. The approval to judge ASCA events is a privilege and is not a right or reward. Suspensions in other registries relevant to the task of judging will be a consideration in the approval and maintenance of judging privileges. 
4. All ASCA and visiting judges and judging applicants must agree to abide by the ASCA Judges Code of Ethics. 
5. ASCA has the right to refuse, suspend or revoke the ASCA judging license of any person in violation of ASCA rules, or for the failure to comply with the guidelines set forth in the ASCA Judges Code of Ethics. Failure to comply with these guidelines, or any ASCA rules, subjects a judge to possible disciplinary action by the ASCA Board of Directors, including the possible revocation of ASCA Judging privileges. Judges will be notified if such action is being considered, the reason for its consideration, and given the opportunity to reply. 

Responsibilities: 

1. ASCA Judges should have thorough breed knowledge, understanding of the Breed Standard and full comprehension of the rules concerning ASCA's Conformation Program. They are expected to demonstrate efficient ring procedure and control. It is their responsibility to keep up to date with current changes in both the program rules and Breed Standard. 
2. Judges are expected to continue the education process throughout their career. 
3. Judges are to be professional in carrying out their duties and must not allow personal preferences to interfere with the stated guidelines upon which they judge animals. 
4. It is essential that exhibitors have complete faith in the impartiality of their judges. A judges actions and decisions should leave no doubt that they were made based solely on the merits of the dogs presented to them on that day.

Conduct, Conflicts of Interest and Common Sense:

You must both possess and project an unwavering air of integrity and ethical behavior that protects the reputation of ASCA dog shows. With common sense, judges can easily avoid situations which might raise ethical questions.

Judges are presumed to be honest, competent and dedicated. Nevertheless, it is all too easy to find yourself in uncomfortable or even inappropriate situations. No guidelines can cover every situation. But they can help you avoid improprieties or perceived improprieties.


Conduct: 

1. The general conduct of judge, both inside and out of the ring, should be above reproach. Judges should avoid conduct and casual remarks that might be misconstrued or misinterpreted such as expressing favoritism or specific criticism of dogs or exhibitors. 
2. Prior to the completion of a judging assignment, a judge shall not act as a spectator at the same conformation event at which he is scheduled to judge. 
3. When officiating at a show, the judge shall not: 
   1. Discuss the merits or faults of the dogs with the stewards, attendants, or spectators during the assignment. This does not include overall praise of an entire entry of dogs. 
   2. Address handlers or dogs in the ring by name 
   3. Hold, have control of, or groom any dog on the show grounds during his assignment that is not wholly owned or co-owned by the judge 
   4. While officiating, a judge should not ask individuals:
      Who owns the dog
      From whom the dog was purchased
      What bloodlines the dog is out of 
4. A judge shall not personally exhibit a dog in Conformation in the same state as his assignment four (4) days prior to his assignment. 
5. When attending social functions organized by the event-giving club where exhibitors are present, a judge is expected to exercise particular discretion in discussing individual exhibitors, dogs or breeders. 
6. A judge or their family members should never solicit or promote assignments on the judges behalf.

Conflicts of Interest and Common Sense:

Although a judge cannot directly control who enters under him, he should advise potential exhibitors not to enterunder him when he feels there is a possible conflict of interest to avoid improprieties or perceived improprieties. 

 

Examples of such conflicts might be but are not limited to:

 

 your employer or an employee 
 a relative
 a person with whom you co-own dogs
 a person with whom you have a recent business relationship with
 a person who has handled your dogs on a regular basis

 

 

These are only examples. The key is to avoid situations that are likely to give the impression of impropriety, and you must do everything possible to keep your reputation above reproach.

A Handy Rule of Thumb

There will always be those "gray areas" that perplex judges. When faced with such a dilemma, ask yourself whether the situation, however innocent, maintains an outward appearance of propriety. A good rule of thumb is:

If you have concerns about whether something is inappropriate, you probably should avoid the situation.